Good Samaritans risk lives to save dog stranded on icy river

Good Samaritans risked life and limb to save the life of a dog who was stranded on the icy Delaware River on Sunday afternoon, reported Philly.com.

The dog, named "Duke," had wandered onto the ice and he was noticed by people on shore who were concerned for his safety. Despite hours of concerted effort by those on shore to lure Duke to safety, the frightened dog would not budge.

Eventually, after fire and police officials declined to venture out onto the ice to retrieve Duke, two men decided to take matters into their own hands.

According to ABC 6 Action News, Russ Miller and Ciro Silvestri, self-described animal lovers, utilized a kayak and made their way across the ice to Duke's side.

Silvestri noted that Duke was too frightened to climb into the kayak on his own; he stated:

He was scared, he was sitting still. He wasn't moving for us so we had to just pick him up and put him on the canoe and go,"

Duke wound up in harm's way after slipping out of his fenced yard days earlier. His grateful owner, Keonna Wilson, found out where her dog was after a relative watched the rescue effort on ABC Action News.

Wilson stated:

I just want to thank whoever did it. I thank you so much for risking your life for the safety of my dog and that he is okay and that the men are ok,"

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